AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2018 Quarter 4; New Qualifier Values
Descending Thoracic Aorta Bypass
A patient with life-limiting claudication due to perivisceral aortic occlusive disease was admitted for thoracic aorta-to-femoral bypass graft. A left thoracotomy was performed and a graft was sewn into the descending thoracic aorta. Next, an incision was made in the left groin longitudinally and taken down to fascia. The common femoral artery was dissected out down to the bifurcation. A tunnel was created between the left groin incision and the left thoracic cavity. A polytetrafluoroethylene bifurcation graft was passed, and the graft was beveled and sewn end-to-side onto the left common femoral artery. What are the ICD-10-PCS codes for this procedure? ...
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Article Overview
This premium article covers ICD-10-PCS changes in the Heart and Great Vessels bypass table for the descending thoracic aorta, including newly added qualifier values that expand the ability to represent certain bypass destinations and graft-related combinations. It also presents a thoracic aorta-to-femoral bypass example and identifies the ICD-10-PCS code associated with the scenario. The content is relevant for hospital coders, CDI specialists, and procedural coding staff working with vascular surgery and ICD-10-PCS anatomy/device/qualifier structure.
Why This Topic Matters
Bypass procedures involving the descending thoracic aorta can be difficult to code accurately because the applicable body part, device, qualifier, and approach must align with the PCS table structure. This article helps readers understand the scope of the table update and the type of clinical scenario it addresses.
What You Will Learn
- How the ICD-10-PCS Heart and Great Vessels bypass table was updated for the descending thoracic aorta
- Which broad bypass destinations were added or clarified in the table
- How the article frames a vascular bypass procedure example in ICD-10-PCS terms
- How the procedure example is mapped to an ICD-10-PCS code
Who Should Read This
- Hospital coders
- ICD-10-PCS coding professionals
- Clinical documentation integrity specialists
- Vascular surgery coding staff
Codes Discussed
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